Jaw guard for surgical forceps

ABSTRACT

An end effector assembly for a forceps includes first and second jaw members, each including a proximal flange extending therefrom. Each proximal flange defines an aperture extending therethrough configured to receive a pivot assembly including first and second pivot pins. The second proximal flange includes a U-shaped cross section having first and second legs defining a slot therebetween. A guard is disposed between the proximal flanges of the first and second jaw members and includes a U-shaped cross section with first and second legs configured to receive the proximal flange of the first jaw member and seat within the slot of the second jaw member. The guard is configured to eliminate gaps between the proximal flanges of the first and second jaw members during angular rotation of the first and second jaw members between a first, spaced apart position to a second, closer position.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

The present application is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No. 16/383,807 filed Apr. 15, 2019, which claims the benefit of and priority to U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 62/665,640, filed on May 2, 2018, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.

BACKGROUND Technical Field

The present disclosure relates to surgical instruments and, more particularly, to an open surgical forceps for grasping, sealing, and/or dividing tissue.

Description of Related Art

A forceps is a plier-like instrument which relies on mechanical action between its jaws to grasp, clamp and constrict vessels or tissue. Electrosurgical forceps utilize both mechanical clamping action and electrical energy to affect hemostasis by heating tissue and blood vessels to coagulate and/or cauterize tissue. Certain surgical procedures require more than simply cauterizing tissue and rely on the unique combination of clamping pressure, precise electrosurgical energy control and gap distance (i.e., distance between opposing jaw members when closed about tissue) to “seal” tissue, vessels and certain vascular bundles.

Prior to cauterization or sealing, blunt dissection is a common technique during many surgical procedures which involves poking and spreading tissue to create an opening without the use of a blade or electrosurgical energy. For example, in liver surgery, it is common for surgeons to dissect through the liver by closing forceps' jaws on the soft parenchyma to expose the more elastic blood vessels and bile ducts. In many of these cases, the blunt dissection involves opening the jaw members very wide to spread the tissue. Unfortunately, jaw members on most vessel sealing devices or commonly sold electrosurgical forceps only open a certain distance before a gap at the back or proximal-most portion of the jaw member is exposed. These gaps may create various “pinch points” that can catch on tissue causing unwanted tissue damage during manipulation. Limiting the distance the jaw members can open to prevent these pinch points offsets the usefulness of the instrument for blunt dissection or clamping purposes.

SUMMARY

Typically, the jaw aperture on any vessel sealer or forceps is dependent on the location of the pivot point, the height or diameter of the instrument and the length of the jaw member. These variables are commonly balanced to fit the particular device's application. Adding a small guard or series of guard components on the jaw member or proximate the jaw pivot enables the jaw members to open wider and have wider jaw apertures without producing pinch points.

These guard(s) may take the form of small metal or plastic pieces similar in size and shape to jaw flags but they could take a variety of forms. The guard may connect with the adjacent jaw members so that the jaw guard assembly moves in a specific way relative to the jaw members. If the jaw members interface with the guard, the guard may be used to actuate the jaws. The guard may or may not move, relative to the jaw members, as the jaw members are opened and closed. The angular motion of the guard(s) may be dictated by the manner in which it is associated with the forceps' pivot point. There may be a plurality of guards to provide an even wider aperture or to appropriate the guard function into certain device geometries.

As used herein, the term “distal” refers to the portion that is being described which is further from a user, while the term “proximal” refers to the portion that is being described which is closer to a user.

In accordance with one aspect of the present disclosure, an end effector assembly for a forceps includes first and second jaw members each having a proximal flange extending therefrom. Each proximal flange includes an aperture defined therein that extends therethrough configured to receive a pivot assembly including first and second pivot pins. The second proximal flange includes a U-shaped cross section having first and second legs defining a slot therebetween. A guard is disposed between the proximal flanges of the first and second jaw members. The guard includes a U-shaped cross section with first and second legs configured to receive the proximal flange of the first jaw member and seat within the slot of the second jaw member. The guard is configured to eliminate gaps between the proximal flanges of the first and second jaw members during angular rotation of the first and second jaw members between a first, spaced apart position to a second, closer position.

In aspects of the present disclosure, the guard includes an aperture defined therein configured to receive the first and second pivot pins. The guard is rotatable about the first and second pivot pins during movement of the jaw members between the first and second positions. The aperture of the guard may be hourglass-shaped defining a stop that is configured to limit angular rotation of the guard when the jaw members are moved from the second position to the first position.

In other aspects of the present disclosure, an aperture in the proximal flange of the second jaw member is hourglass-shaped and defines a stop that is configured to limit angular rotation of the second jaw member when the jaw members are moved from the second position to the first position. The hourglass-shaped aperture in the proximal flange may be larger than the hourglass-shaped aperture in the guard such that the degree of angular rotation of the second jaw member is greater than the degree of angular rotation of the guard.

In yet other aspects, the pivot assembly is mechanically engaged to the proximal flange of the first jaw member by snap-fit, overmolding, injection molding and/or friction fit. In still other aspects, the pivot assembly may be integrally associated with the proximal flange of the first jaw member.

In aspects of the present disclosure, the first and second pivot pins may be configured to extend on either side of the pivot assembly to pivotably engage both legs of the U-shaped guard and both legs of the U-shaped proximal flange of the second jaw member. One or both of the first and second pivot pins may be configured to abut the stop on the aperture of the guard to limit angular rotation of the guard. One or both of the first and second pivot pins may be configured to abut the stop on the aperture of the proximal flange to limit angular rotation of the first and second jaw members from the second to first positions.

In accordance with another aspect of the present disclosure, a forceps includes first and second shaft members, the first shaft member including a first jaw member at a distal end thereof and the second shaft member including a second jaw member at a distal end thereof. The first and second jaw members are disposed in opposing relation relative to one another and are movable about a pivot assembly from a first, spaced apart position to a second, closer position for grasping tissue. Each of the jaw members includes a proximal flange extending therefrom that defines an aperture extending therethrough configured to receive the pivot assembly. The second proximal flange includes a U-shaped cross section having first and second legs that define a slot therebetween. A guard is disposed between the proximal flanges of the first and second jaw members and includes a U-shaped cross section with first and second legs configured to receive the proximal flange of the first jaw member and seat within the slot of the second jaw member. The guard is configured to eliminate gaps between the proximal flanges of the first and second jaw members during angular rotation of the first and second jaw members between the first and second positions.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Various aspects of the present disclosure are described herein with reference to the drawings wherein like reference numerals identify similar or identical elements:

FIG. 1 is a side view of a distal end of a forceps according to an aspect of the present disclosure showing the forceps in an open configuration;

FIG. 2 is an enlarged, perspective view of the distal end of the forceps of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is an enlarged, side view of a portion of a first jaw member of an end effector assembly of the forceps of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is an enlarged, side view of a guard member of the end effector assembly of the forceps of FIG. 1 coupled with the first jaw member; and

FIG. 5 is an enlarged, side view of the guide member, the first jaw member, and a portion of a second jaw member of the end effector assembly of the forceps of FIG. 1 coupled with one another.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Referring now to FIG. 1, an open forceps 10 contemplated for use in connection with traditional open surgical procedures is shown. For the purposes herein, either an open instrument, e.g., forceps 10, or an endoscopic instrument (not shown) may be utilized in accordance with the present disclosure. Obviously, different electrical and mechanical connections and considerations apply to each particular type of instrument; however, the aspects of the present disclosure with respect to the end effector assembly and its operating characteristics remain generally consistent with respect to both the open and endoscopic configurations.

With continued reference to FIG. 1, forceps 10 includes two elongated shafts 12 a and 12 b, each having a proximal end (not shown), and a distal end 16 a and 16 b, respectively. Forceps 10 further includes an end effector assembly 100 attached to distal ends 16 a and 16 b of shafts 12 a and 12 b, respectively. End effector assembly 100 includes a pair of opposing jaw members 110 and 120 that are pivotably connected about a pivot assembly 200. Each shaft 12 a and 12 b includes a handle (not shown) disposed at the proximal end thereof. Each handle defines a finger hole therethrough for receiving a finger of the user to facilitate actuation of the forceps 10 and movement of the shaft members 12 a and 12 b relative to one another between a spaced-apart position and an approximated position, which, in turn, pivots jaw members 110 and 120 from an open or first position, wherein the jaw members 110 and 120 are disposed in spaced-apart relation relative to one another, to a second or closer position, wherein the jaw members 110 and 120 cooperate to grasp tissue therebetween.

A ratchet (not shown) may be included for selectively locking the jaw members 110 and 120 relative to one another at various positions during pivoting. The ratchet may include graduations or other visual markings that enable the user to easily and quickly ascertain and control the amount of closure force desired between the jaw members 110 and 120.

Continuing with reference to FIG. 1, one of the shafts, e.g., shaft 12 b, may include a proximal shaft connector (not shown) that is designed to connect the forceps 10 to a source of electrosurgical energy such as an electrosurgical generator (not shown). The proximal shaft connector secures an electrosurgical cable to forceps 10 such that the user may selectively apply electrosurgical energy to the jaw members 110 and 120, respectively. Alternatively, forceps 10 may be configured as a battery-powered instrument.

An activation switch (not shown) may be included that allows a user to selectively apply electrosurgical energy to jaw members 110 and 120 to treat tissue disposed therebetween. More specifically, upon approximation of shaft members 12 a, 12 b, e.g., when jaw members 110, 120 are moved to the closed position, the activation switch may be activated to supply electrosurgical energy to jaw members 110, 120 such that, upon depression of the activation switch, electrosurgical energy is supplied to sealing surface 112 and/or sealing surface 122 of jaw members 110, 120, respectively, to seal tissue grasped therebetween. Standardized activation switches are contemplated, e.g., in-line switches, finger switches, toggle switches, foot switches, etc.

Referring to FIGS. 1-5, shaft 12 a and 12 b are configured to rotate about pivot assembly 200 from the first, spaced positon to the second, closer position for grasping tissue. Pivot assembly 200 include a pair of pivot pins 225 a and 225 b that is configured to extend from a proximal flange 115 on either side of jaw member 110 (see FIG. 2). More specifically and as best shown in FIG. 3, pivot pins 225 a and 225 b are part of a pivot post 119 that is configured to engage within an aperture 118 defined within the proximal flange 115 of jaw member 110. Pivot post 119 may engage aperture 118 in any known manner, e.g., snap-fit, injection molded, overmolded, etc. or be integrally defined therewith, e.g., machined. The pivot post 119 extends from either side of flange 115 such that pivot pins 225 a and 225 b extend from either side of the flange 115 the purpose of which being explained in more detail below.

FIGS. 2 and 4 show the positioning of a guard 210 atop the pivot pins 225 a and 225 b. Guard 210 defines a generally U-shaped transverse cross-sectional configuration including legs 211 a and 211 b that are configured to surround proximal flange 115 and engage pivot post 119 extending from either side thereof. Guard 210 includes a generally hourglass-shaped aperture 212 defined within each leg 211 a, 211 b thereof that are configured to engage pivot pins 225 a and 225 b at respective ends thereof. The hourglass-shaped configuration of aperture 212 allows the guard 212 to rotate about pivot pins 225 a and 225 b in an angular fashion when jaw members 110 and 120 are moved from the spaced apart position to the closer position to engage tissue. The hourglass configuration also forms one or more stops 213 a and 213 b that limit the angular rotation of the guard 210 when moving from the closer position to the open position. Guard 210 is also configured to eliminate any gap between proximal flanges 115, 130 of jaw members 110, 120, respectively, that may form during rotation of the two jaw members 110 and 120 relative to one another which can create undesirable pinch points therebetween for catching tissue.

FIG. 5 shows the relative positioning of jaw member 120 surrounding guard 210. More particularly, the proximal flange 130 of jaw member 120 includes a generally U-shaped transverse cross-sectional configuration having legs 131 a and 131 b that define a slot 125 therein that is configured to receive both legs 211 a and 211 b of U-shaped guard 210 (See FIG. 2). Each leg 131 a and 131 b of proximal flange 130 includes a generally hourglass-shaped aperture 135 defined therein that is configured to engage pivot pins 225 a and 225 b at respective ends thereof. The hourglass configuration also forms one or more stops 135 a and 135 b that limit the angular rotation of the jaw member 120 when moving from the closer position to the open position. Aperture 135 is a similar hourglass-shape to aperture 212 but is larger to allow jaw member 120 to angularly rotate further than guard 210 to enable the jaw members 110 and 120 to open wider while also avoiding pinch points due to guard 210. In other words and as best seen in FIG. 5, the angular rotation of the pivot pins 225 a and 225 b within aperture 135 of jaw member 120 extends beyond the angular rotation of the pivot pins 225 a and 225 b within the guard 210 such that, when opening the jaw members 110 and 120, the pivot pins 225 a and 225 b bottom out within aperture 212 of guard 210 well before the pivot pins 225 a and 225 b bottom out within aperture 135. Other configurations of the apertures 135 and 212 are contemplated that are designed to constrain the jaw members 110 and 120 to a specific angle relative to the pivot assembly to accomplish the purpose of increasing the degree of rotation of the jaw members 110 and 120.

FIG. 5 shows the assembled configuration of the pivot assembly 200 with the jaw members 110 and 120 disposed in the spaced apart position. Guard 210 receives flange 115 in slot 215 and seats within slot 125 of proximal flange 130. A pivot plate 205 is engaged with the pivot pins 225 a and 225 b and acts to prevent the ingress of surgical fluids into the pivot assembly 200. As second pivot plate (not shown) is disposed on the opposite of the pivot assembly 200 for similar purposes.

Forceps 10 may further include a knife assembly (not shown) disposed within one of the shaft members, e.g., shaft member 12 a, and a knife channel 111, 121 (FIG. 2) defined within one or both of jaw members 110, 120, respectively, to permit reciprocation of a knife (not shown) therethrough. A trigger (not shown) may be coupled to one of the shafts, e.g., shaft 12 a, for advancing the knife from a retracted position within shaft member 12 a to an extended position wherein the knife extends into knife channels 111, 121 to divide tissue grasped between jaw members 110, 120. The pivot pins 225 a and 225 b are configured to allow reciprocation of the knife therebetween. As best shown in FIG. 5, the knife of the knife assembly would only be advanceable when the jaw members 110 and 120 are disposed in the closer position since it would be necessary for the U-shaped guard 210 and U-shaped proximal flange 130 to align for reciprocation of the knife. Thus, U-shaped guard 210 provides additional functionality as a knife safety lockout.

In the fully assembled condition as shown in FIGS. 2 and 5, jaw members 110, 120 are disposed in opposed relation relative to one another such that, upon movement of jaw members 110, 120 to the closer position, tissue is grasped therebetween. Accordingly, in use, electrosurgical energy may be supplied to one or both of electrically-conductive sealing surfaces 112 and 122 of jaw members 110 and 120, respectively, and conducted through tissue to seal tissue grasped therebetween. The knife may thereafter or otherwise be advanced through knife channels 111, 121 of jaw members 110, 120 to cut tissue grasped therebetween. The orientation of the guard 210, as detailed above, avoids creating pinch points during angular rotation of the jaw members 110 and 120 between the open and closer positions.

From the foregoing and with reference to the various figure drawings, those skilled in the art will appreciate that certain modifications can also be made to the present disclosure without departing from the scope of the same. For example, the generally U-shaped guard 210 of the present disclosure may be replaced with a different geometric configuration that rotates as the various jaw member components move to increase the overall range of the jaw members 110 and 120 when opened. Half U-shaped configurations, nestled configurations, offset configurations, multicomponent configurations, etc. are all contemplated. Moreover, the jaw members 110 and 120 and/or a combination of the jaw members 110 and 120 and guard 210 may include various geometric configurations to accomplish the same purpose, i.e., increasing the overall opening range of the jaw members 110 and 120. Although two discreet pivot pins 225 a, 225 b are described herein, a single pin with an eccentric cross section (not shown) may be configured to achieve the same effect. Moreover, the pivot assembly 200 may be more simply configured to include one (or multiple) protrusions that are dimensioned to engage the proximal flanges of the jaw members 110 and 120 and guard 210 to define a rotational axis.

While several embodiments of the disclosure have been shown in the drawings, it is not intended that the disclosure be limited thereto, as it is intended that the disclosure be as broad in scope as the art will allow and that the specification be read likewise. Therefore, the above description should not be construed as limiting, but merely as exemplifications of particular embodiments. Those skilled in the art will envision other modifications within the scope and spirit of the claims appended hereto. 

1. (canceled)
 2. An end effector assembly for a forceps, comprising: first and second jaw members, each of the jaw members including a proximal flange extending therefrom, each proximal flange defining an aperture extending therethrough receiving a pivot assembly including first and second pivot pins, the proximal flange of the second jaw member defining a slot therein; and a guard disposed between the proximal flanges of the first and second jaw members, the guard receiving the proximal flange of the first jaw member and seating within the slot of the proximal flange of the second jaw member, the guard eliminating gaps between the proximal flanges of the first and second jaw members during angular rotation of the first and second jaw members between a first, spaced apart position and a second, closer position.
 3. The end effector assembly of claim 2 wherein the guard includes an aperture defined therein receiving the first and second pivot pins, the guard rotatable about the first and second pivot pins during movement of the jaw members between the first and second positions.
 4. The end effector assembly of claim 3 wherein the aperture of the guard is hourglass-shaped defining a stop that is limiting angular rotation of the guard when the jaw members are moved from the second position to the first position.
 5. The end effector assembly of claim 2 wherein an aperture defined in the proximal flange of the second jaw member is hourglass-shaped defining a stop limiting angular rotation of the second jaw member when the jaw members are moved from the second position to the first position.
 6. The end effector assembly of claim 4 wherein an aperture defined in the proximal flange of the second jaw member is hourglass-shaped defining a stop limiting angular rotation of the second jaw member when the jaw members are moved from the second position to the first position.
 7. The end effector assembly of claim 6 wherein the hourglass-shaped aperture in the proximal flange of the second jaw member is larger than the hourglass-shaped aperture in the guard such that the degree of angular rotation of the second jaw member is greater than the degree of angular rotation of the guard.
 8. The end effector assembly of claim 2 wherein the pivot assembly is mechanically engaged to the proximal flange of the first jaw member by snap-fit, overmolding, injection molding or friction fit.
 9. The end effector assembly of claim 2 wherein the pivot assembly is integrally associated with the proximal flange of the first jaw member.
 10. The end effector assembly of claim 2 wherein the first and second pivot pins extend on either side of the pivot assembly to pivotably engage the guard and the proximal flange of the second jaw member.
 11. The end effector assembly of claim 4 wherein at least one of the first or second pivot pins abuts the stop on the aperture of the guard to limit angular rotation of the guard when the first and second jaw members move from the second to first positions.
 12. The end effector assembly of claim 5 wherein at least one of the first or second pivot pins abuts the stop on the aperture of the proximal flange of the second jaw member to limit angular rotation of the first and second jaw members from the second to first positions.
 13. The end effector assembly of claim 2 wherein the guard includes a geometric configuration selected from the group consisting of: half U-shaped, nestled, offset, and multicomponent.
 14. The end effector assembly of claim 2 wherein when the first and second jaw members are moved to the closer position, the guard and the proximal flange of the first jaw member align to permit reciprocation of a knife therethrough.
 15. An end effector assembly for a forceps, comprising: first and second jaw members, each of the jaw members including a proximal flange extending therefrom, each proximal flange defining an aperture extending therethrough receiving a pivot assembly including at least one pivot pin, the proximal flange of the second jaw member defining a slot therein; and a guard disposed between the proximal flanges of the first and second jaw members, the guard receiving the proximal flange of the first jaw member and seating within the slot of the proximal flange of the second jaw member, the guard eliminating gaps between the proximal flanges of the first and second jaw members during angular rotation of the first and second jaw members between a first, spaced apart position and a second, closer position.
 16. The end effector assembly of claim 15 wherein the pivot pin is eccentric.
 17. The end effector assembly of claim 15 wherein when the first and second jaw members are moved to the closer position, the guard and the proximal flange of the first jaw member align to permit reciprocation of a knife therethrough.
 18. The end effector assembly of claim 17 wherein the guard is U-shaped.
 19. The end effector assembly of claim 18 wherein at least one of the proximal flanges of the first and second jaw members is U-shaped. 